Fort Worth weekly gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-01-21


with the happy admlxture of soiitity, ele
gance and good taste which distinguish
the design and embellishments of the spa,
ciouS yesti0uie. 1t IS by long odds the most
beautiful part of the house. On either
side are duplicated marble pillars, which
seem TO answer the triple purpose Of
supporting the floor immediately above,
dividing the passage into al entrance
and stairway nall, and fiiEking the noble
richly carpeted staircase which rises
from the center and leads to the private
apartments of he legation.
The first object, however, which at.
tracts the attention Of the visitor on the
landing opposite the street door, is SUI
pecD life-size portrait of Queen Victoria,
in imperial robes, standing beneath the
canopy Of the throne. 1t is picture OF
q lovely glrl OF eighteen-the Victoria OF
4 half 4 century ago, not the great-graCd-
mother Of to-day. a picture OF the queen
is al esse9tllI part Of the furniture OF
every BRITISH legation throughout the
world, ami ike the rest 81 the contents OF
me building taty are supplied Dy the gov
evnma NJ.
70 The right Of the yestibule is the IL
brary and oftice of Sir S4ckyi,le West, q
spscioUS aud admirably furnished sJ7dy,
containing bookcases filed vita a rich
collection OF we'll selected literature. and
decorated with several fine erEraviUgs,
among which are portraits OF Daniel Web
ster and Lord Ashburton, who were OF
The commission for settling the Oregon
boundary question, and COY # CnslCn' :
picture Of the queen. Leaving the library
we go through an RlcOve INFO a smaller
apartment, where hang al interesting col
lection of paintings aud engTsyingS OF al
the gentlemen ana noblemeu who have a.
one time or another represented England
Gt Washington; among them are the
names Of those who stand highest in BIZ
ish diplomacy.
PASSING out Of the picture Cutlery and
crossing tire vestibuIe we eptcr the draw
Ing or reception room, an apartment that
vir> with the Blua Room at the White
IIou.e in the m4gnifcence Of its appoint
ments. Red, the n8tiOnal color OF Fog
land, raigns supreme everywhere, and the
apartment is clrpetci and hung with
costly crimson brocade and gold, which
forms beautiful setting Tor the crystal
chandeliers, the splendid ottomans and
the mural ornaments Of japanese and
'IArA WI ALl1HSuip. opSuibS lulD LIE
drawing rooms by folding doors is the
commodiOus ball room, he largest in
Washington with the single exception Of
that OF the Chinese legation. The room
is octagoa a. the ends aud its French
windows open on the piazza overlooking
the garden. Thi7 room is also fitted OUT
il scarlet and gilt, ami has magnificent
hanging and fixtures of every kind. The
dining room is next to the ball room, aud
shows an English sOlidity in flash and il
the fashion Of the table. sIdeboardS and
chairs. 1t is large room with deep 5ay
windows and q great open fireplace
with the English Coat-of-armS carved
on oak above the mentel The
splendid mahogauy table has seating
Of City guests with room enough
to spare, and very year on the queens
birthday banqUetis given by the minis
ter, 10 whom all the foreign ambassadors
resident in Washington are invited. The
family OF Sir Lionel consists Of three
one OF whom made her debut
iato society az the grand annual bail
wh.ch was giYenat the legation last week
The eldest Of tie daughters, Miss Vi-to-
ria West, has been the hostess OF her
fathers house since be mas been in Amer
Tea, and though she IS still young, she
disoeases the bosFi;ali'ies Of the big
house with charming gEace.
L. L. CLULLEE.